The sun had set quite a few hours ago. Everyone was just enjoying a quiet good night sleep for once.

Except me, because I was stuck getting this damn sword done.

I could have slept, but when my mind was constantly on, I had no choice but to finish the sword.

At least I could have it now. That would be nice. I could actually defend myself.

I was about to put the glass mold down when I heard a huge explosion coming from the castle. So loud that it made my ears pop.

I dropped everything. I had no idea what was going on, but somehow I did.

I grabbed the sad iron sword that I was dealing with right now, and ran out of my basement without closing the door.

The kingdom was quiet and peaceful, a factor that you usually don't see around here. It was almost like the town was a sick child decked out on cough syrup so mom could have a couple of quiet minutes.

The streets were empty. I mean they were completely empty.

No shit there empty it's 2 am.

I ran through the empty streets. I got to the castle fast, because there wasn't any merchants or guards to get in my way. Just like the citizens, the town fell asleep after nightfall.

The castle gate was busted open. The little pieces of dynamite skin were still smoking and hot to the touch. Rock and stone laid at my feet as I walked into the castle courtyard.

The brick had been dismantled to die on the dusty ground, just like the politics here itself.

I motioned my eyes to where instinct took me.

And sure as hell there was Tom braking out our old pal farmer Steve.

"Fire!", Guards were finally awake from drifting asleep. No soldiers were on the grown.

Bows were shot off in unison, from the upper part of the castle wall, at Tom a Steve.

"Bloody hell!", Tom shrieked.

Steve's eyes went wide at all of the sudden chaos. The castles eyes had just jolted open, and it was hungry for revenge.

Steve took a big swig of some clear potion in his hand. He suddenly became transparent, almost invisible.

That's why he was at Wag's. He needed to get a potion.

I hide behind one of the broken down pieces of castle that protruded out of the ground like jagged rocks in the court yard.

And as far as I could tell Steve had escaped. The guards weren't after him, and he was practically unseeable.

Still Tom was in clean site, dodging arrow by arrow. He continued to dance around broken down pieces of rock. Trying not to hit the invisible land mind of tripping and screwing himself over.

A taller shadow appeared in the midst of all the archers trying there best to defend the home that they were stuck in.

"Don't let the Dianite's escape!" The herald yelled with a commanding voice. He was right on time to loom power over people that could kick his ass if they really wanted too.

I gripped the mantel of my iron sword, trying really hard not to intervene. As much as I wanted to help I couldn't. That would be hell for Hope and Andor if I decided to show everyone that I was also a traitor.

I heard footsteps and panting.

I turned to see Andor, who was holding a sword that he could barely carry. His hair was a mess, more than usual. I felt kinda bad that Tom's shenanigans had forced him up.

"Well", I smacked my lips, "this is awkward."

My comment made his expression more tired. Maybe it wasn't the time for jokes.

The Prince glanced up to where the herald was standing, then quickly pushed me out of the way.

I was now laying in the very thick grass right outside of the castle gate. Well at least where the castle gate was.

Tom, with arrows trailing behind him, ran over in front of Andor. Tom stopped dead in his tracks.

"Oh fuck", Tom didn't grab for one of his daggers. "I don't want to fight you kid."

"Andor!", The Herald yelled down from his safe spot, "hurry up and arrest the man."

Andors eyes were glancing in every direction. Tom, me, The Herald, the castle.

He sighed then moved to the side, "run before the other guards wake up."

I started to smile, feeling really proud all of the sudden. Maybe proud at myself for picking good allies.

The herald on the other hand, was fuming. He hit one of the younger guards on the shoulder, and the guard started to head down the stairs.

Andor tensed, starting to back up out of the castle court yard.

"Your father will be unhappy at you for this!", The Herald fumed.

Andor shrugged, like that was really nothing new.

Tom flew his green mask down into his face. "Thanks!"

Tom ran off into the night and I followed after.

Slowly down by the time we were down by the bridge tom turned to look at me as we continued to run. Even under the mask I could tell he was smiling.

A feeling of relief washed over me as we headed across the bridge. Now farmer Steve glitches back into existence from his potion.

I was seriously ready to start jumping around and cheering.

Still in the pitch black night, I saw a spark come from Steve's hand as he stopped in front of his old farm house. He had a lighter in his hand.

I slowed down from my sprinting, now infront of the farm house.

I stood by Tom as Steve took the lighter and lit his wall on fire. The orange wall lit up so bright in the night sky and so quickly.

I realized then that Tom hadn't painted the wall with wood thinner, he had painted it with gasoline.

The fire continued to burn as ash lifted into the air. Then at that moment it was pretty obvious that finding the heart was no where close to our last adventure.

I lifted up from the bed. My face was steaming hot and my hair was sticking to my forehead because of sweat.

It was pitch black in the bedroom, but I could already feel from beside me that Andor was gone.

Out from the window I could see that the streets were empty. I felt scared. Goosebumps were all over my body even though I felt as though I could overheat any moment.

I heard a yell of pain from one of the castle gates.

My mind got the best of me, and I was horrified.

I raced down the stairs, grabbing a small knife from the kitchen counter.

Racing through the streets to where exactly I heard the noise. I knew where I had to go, I could just tell. Like some fragile instinct that I had to have my full attention on or it would be broken.

I found myself in a mucky corner in the more broken down part of town.

My feet skidded to a stop, and my former fear had been true.

The herald stood with a sword and a smirk right to Andor's throat.

I don't think either of them noticed me.

The Herlad deepened the bruise of the sword. "What were you even thinking?"

Andor didn't say anything back. He just had his head against the alleyway wall.

My grip tensed on the knife. I was stood frozen, something that never happened before.

I was always ready for standpoint, always.

But this time I felt trapped with two options. My mind was to petrified to find a third.

"Your a traitor", The guard spat out.

Andor mumbled something incoherent. His face was bitter. "You still see me as a weak child you can pick around don't you."

My grip tightened even harder around the knife. The metal started to cool my hand. Everything was still burning hot. Hot almost to numb.

"I'm going to kill you right at this moment", The Herald voice shook out of anger, "and no one will even notice you're gone".

The Herald moved for a final strike.

I moved the knife perfectly, slitting his throat in one swift move.

Andors eyes froze watching the body crumble to the ground in a puddle of blood.

The knife fell from my bloody grip.

Then he looked up at me. Not with disgust or horror. With worry. He was just worried about me.

"I'm so sorry", I mustered up.

My legs went weak out of fear.

Andor grabbed me before I could fall into a dizzy puddle of blood.

I gripped onto his black shirt and started to cry, and not soft crying like normal. I had lost it.

"It will be okay", he let out softly. He was still staring at the man that I had killed. "I'll make sure it's okay".

Hope and I were walking to Jordan's place to meet up with Sonj and Tom.

Jordan said he almost had the glass sword done and he wanted us all to come to see it.

I guess I was excited about the sword. At least I could pretend to be excited.

I tipped my ball cap as the king passed by with a kind wave. He also had weary eyes and a gruesome look on his face. Of course that wasn't new, but this was different.

"King", I spoke up politely.

The king knocked into Hope as he passed by. I couldn't tell if it was purposely or not.

I looked back to see the king glaring at Hope. She communicated back an equally bitter face. I was just glad she didn't flip him off.

That was good people skills for her.

She stuffed her hands into her pants pockets with a big smile plastered on her face. She was pretty proud of herself.

I shook my head trying not to laugh, since I was supposed to be the responsible one.

Hope slid the garage door as we were greeted by thousands of lit sparks.

Jordan was welding the sword to the handle.

Sonj was shielding her eyes and Tom was just straight up passed out on the lab table. I wasn't even sure how he snuck into the kingdom this time.

"Hey Jordan-", I greeted.

He shushed me before I could continue my monologue.

Hope shut the garage door behind her and sat down by the table that Tom was knocked out on.

I leant over and kissed Sonja on the cheek then sat down beside the time.

I was a hundred percent aware of what had happened two nights ago. News of the farm burning down spread like wildfire. Nothing seems to really stay secret in a small town.

"I'm done!", Jordan exasperatingly lifted hi hands in tribulation. "I beat this cruel joke of a weapon!"

Everyone in the room clapped like a theater audience, which startled Tom into waking up.

"So how was your nap Tom", Hope turned from her seat to look at Tom square in the eye.

"It was nice. Including the factor that some people were up all night starting a revolution and not making out with there boyfriend", Tom mocked out.

Hope rolled her eyes and turned back around in her seat. "You guys are no fun to pick on."

"Oh c'mon Tom", Sonj tried to stop the oncoming burn battle between those two, "leave the girl alone. At least she has something to love."

Hope's expression made her look like she was going to have a mini heart attack hearing the word love.

Tom clicked his tongue. "Actually", he stated, now sitting up on the table, "I do have something to live. It's a pet thank you very much."

Sonj, Jordan, and I exchanged horrified glances.

"Should check in on the little guy", Tom glanced up to the ceiling, going through his mental checklist, "now that I think about it."

The thing was that thing he had to check up on exploded.

"Hey Tom", Jordan spoke up, thinking on impulse, " I need to make Hope a new set of moars. So if your could just", Jordan started to write random crap down on a list. What the hell even is galkhaite, "get this stuff for me that would be great".

Tom slid off of the table. "Okay then", Tom started to walk up the stairs. I guess the secret exit was to obvious for him to sneak out of. "I got nothing else better to do".

Tom headed out the door.

Everyone except Hope started to internally combust.

Hope gave us all suspicious looks.

"What the hell did you guys do to that pet", Hope hissed.

I was just hanging out in Jordan's basement, as I do.

I wasn't sure what pet Tom had and I wasn't sure what those three did to whatever thing Tom had a sliver of affection for.

I told Andor I would meet him hear because I had to talk to him about the key. I had some news.

"Were heading out okay." Jordan grabbed his glass sword. His voice was wavering, like he was thinking of a million things.

Even though that was most the time, when he had a million ideas swirling in his head, but this time he was making it noticeable. Wasn't trying to hide that he was thinking of some grand scheme.

I just laid my head on the cool metal desk. "Okay", I paused as Jordan opened that garage door, "Don't light yourself on fire."

Jordan squinted his eyes at me, half way ready to shut the garage door. "That was one time." He slammed the garage door shut behind him, leaving an echo of falling metal continue to fly through the basement even when he was out of sight.

I smirked to myself because I hadn't been as sarcastic and sassy as I would like to be. I needed my Hope spark back, and I was trying desperately to adapt to the new age.

Everything strangely felt more serious now. I had responsibilities and those responsibilities had actions. I wasn't small and delicate. Sure my ivory skin made me look fragile, but I didn't have that aura of innocence. I couldn't just wait out for the adults to fix it.

Someone knocked on the side of the stairwell.

"Well you're deep in thought again", Andor let out with a soft voice.

I started to smile unintentionally. "Not anymore." I stood up from off the table.

"So", Andor stood in front of me. He smelled like lavender, strong lavender and tree sap. Deep scents, like if purple was a smell, "did you get the key."

I took a deep breath. "Actually", my voice went soft, "I need to tell you that-"

Andor's face got weary.

I reached to the back of my pocket. "I have it right here." I held up the key in front of Andor's face, and his dismal face went to shocked.

He grabbed the key out from my hand and continued to stare at it like it was a million cence. Maybe to him it was.

"How did you get this?" He quaked out, still in shock.

"I slipped by your dad and traded the key for one that looks the same", I answered.

He was still staring at the key with wonder and curiosity. "This is amazing-"

It really wasn't that amazing, but okay. "I think you forget I used to be a thief", I added on.

"I could kiss you right now!"

My face blushed and then somehow we were kissing.

My heart started to race. My eyelids started to flutter closed. His lips were soft against mine. My mind was nowhere, which was new for me. My mind was always somewhere, but it had just suddenly got numb.

I grabbed onto his shirt trying not to fall backwards as my legs started to not want to work. His arms intwined around my waist, which keep me from falling but also made my body want to go limp.

My hands started to move up to his hair and a laced my fingers through it. Trying the impossible to make it more messy. His grip around my waste got stronger and my heartstrings started to grow tighter. I had grown so attached to this feeling and my worst fear has happened, I was addicted.

"Oh god", Sonja's voice came from the bottom of the stairs.

And like that we were unattached. My face was to flushed, and it was excruciatingly obvious.

Sonja seemed about as awkward as us in the moment. "I just- uh", she started to stutter, "I just need- the um- the journal." She cleared her throat, even though that didn't help clear out the stench of awkward. "Jordan's journal".

I handed the brown bound journal to her with a trembling hand.

"Sorry Sonja", I mustered out.

"Just", she paused throwing her hand out to stop any other words that I was about to speak, "this didn't happen."

I nodded silently agreeing.

She shuffled back up the stairs, and not another word was spoken.

I don't know what I just saw, but Jordan could not know.

Dear lord the man would have a heart attack or atleast be out for blood.

I need his help right now anyway.

We were now at Wag's tower. I wasn't sure what we needed magic for or what the plan was, but I trusted the boys.

Well, I sorta trust the boys.

"So let me get this straight", Wag was sitting as his table with a mug of mint tea that I could smell from the other side of the room, "the little goblin was frightened by Sonja-"

"It's not my fault the thing was so fragile", I tried to defend myself.

"So what you need", Wag was now heading towards his chest to shuffle through, "is a goblin."

"I don't know what choice we have", Tucker let on.

Wagglington, who seemed about as upset as Tom would be sad, got a vile filled with gold flakes and slammed it on the table. "You need this."

He then kneeled down behind and groaned as he lifted up the second object that was needed. He placed a cement block, around 5 by 8, on the table, in which shook the whole table and some of the tower it's self. "This-"

Wag shuffled around in his pocket, like something had magically appeared there. "-and this." He laid out a white egg, probably the most confusing out of all of it.

So Wag aloud us outside to watch as he added all of the components on a slab of ply wood.

His hands waved effortlessly on the easy spell. The ingredients merged together like soft molding clay.

Wag handed us a little golden egg and a .........

Sharpie?

"What?", Tucker and Jordan were more that confused.

"Don't look at me", Wag threw the dusty book into Tuckers hand. "I'm not involved", his normal polite voice squeaked out as he continued to walk back to his tower, "thank you!"

Tucker shrugged and opened the book. Struggling to both keep the book open and not breath in all the dust.

Jordan, who had the responsibility of holding the golden egg, walked over to Tucker and the big book.

"What do we need to do?", Jordan asked with a very strong grip around the golden egg.

Tucker moved the one page with his chin trying to figure out exactly what part to read off.

Tucker continued to flip the pages, his eyebrows archiving more and more.

"It's all in Latin!", Tucker yelled out.

Jordan's hands gripped around the egg tighter. "What do you mean!?"

I held my hand out. Trying to stop Jordan's whitening knuckles from hurting anything.

But with a loud crack I was too late.

Jordan stared horrifyingly at his hand that was covered in a shimmery yoke.

Tucker dropped the book on the ground. "GOD DAMMIT JORDAN-!"

Jordan shook his hands dry as the yoke started to shimmer brighter. It was almost like a light itself, illuminating brighter and brighter by the second.

Jordan yelled out backing up as the yoke started to bubble on the ground.

"God I hope that was what we were supposed to do", I let out with a mix of excitement and fear.

The yoke continued to shimmer bright. The yoke shimmered really, really bright. It got to the point of blinding.

Then the yoke lifted in the air taking shape of an egg, and I had to shield my eyes from the glare of the shimmer.

The wind picked up like a tornado. Twirling and spinning and throwing all my brown hair into my face.

I shielded my eyes that still almost felt a small numbing pain from the brightness.